Dave’s double delight

Under-18s see off Blades and Swifts to continue hot streak

Limited resources meant the under-18s had to really pull together this weekend, but they came away with two hard-earned victories (Image: Nick Winter)

Two games in as many days, away to close rivals Colchester Blades on Saturday, then home to Southend Swifts on Sunday was a big ask for an already depleted under-18 Boys.

Missing some players because of half term and on-going injuries to Ben Mobee and Caleb Moses, were left with only 7 regular players available for each game. Ben Walters joined the team for the Sunday game as well as Guard Ben Winter, drafted in from the under-16s.

Saturday’s game started with promise as Ipswich got off to a good start leading 13 to 3 by the eighth minute and 15 to 7 to finish the first quarter. Colchester came to life in the second and continued to fight hard as the teams virtually matched scores for the rest of the game finishing with a win for Ipswich 66-73

Jonny Hall led the scoring for Ipswich with 23, while Dan Austin had his best outing yet with 22. Tom Brown added 11 and Blake Read 10.

Sunday’s game was a similar affair. This time the teams were evenly matched until the third quarter where Ipswich scored 14 to Southend’s 7. This quarter had a significant effect on the final outcome as Ipswich maintained this lead ending up winners 77-68.

Jonny Hall again top-scored with 26, capping a very successful weekend. He was well supported by his team-mates, though, as Blake Read logged 17 points, followed by Tom Brown’s 12 and Ben Winter with 11.

Since starting the season with a narrow away loss, the under-18s now have six straight victories and are gathering momentum.

“Both opponents proved to be extremely tough and determined, we had to work very hard in both games to secure the two wins that have put us joint top of the division,” said Coach Dave Girling on Sunday. “I look forward to building on this as everyone comes back and our squad gets deeper in the coming weeks.”